Brexit talks ‘at risk’ without Irish border solution,

The EU must be prepared for the real risk that negotiations over Britain’s departure from the bloc will end without a deal, the EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said today.

At a press conference during his visit to Ireland, Barnier said that he was “determined” that the two sides can break the current impasse on talks.

He further said: “Until we reach this agreement and this operational solution for Northern Ireland, a backstop [solution], and we are ready for any proposal … there is a risk, a real risk,” he said.

Earlier last week, Brexit Secretary David had tweeted that he was “determined to get [the border problem] agreed by October”.

Today I started what promises to be a busy week in Northern Ireland. As we leave the EU it’s essential both the UK and EU do what it takes to keep the border, which I saw this morning, free from physical infrastructure. We are determined to get this agreed by October. pic.twitter.com/W4zSuRSGRG